.32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 - 4th Change

[ISCS Yoda]

This will be fun. I just acquired this and I feel like a collector again instead of an accumulator. My only old Hand Ejector is my .38-55 (see avatar) so this is old news for many of y'all but new concepts for me. Pictures first, questions follow:

The gun is in nice condition for a gun that has clearly seen a lot of use. Maybe "use" is not quite the correct term; the barrel is pristine. But it got carried and knocked around so it has the dings and scratches of carry and the stocks are sufficiently worn to tell the same story.

So, first VERY fun question - what in the world is that "thing" affixed to the right side of the gun? Easy answer. If I'm not mistaken it's an after market adjustable sight because the photograph on Page 151 of the SCSW shows a Target model with a S&W adjustable rear sight. The knurled knob does adjust the sight but if the hammer is down it screws right into the flange thing and locks the hammer down solid. Very weird device. Comments solicited.

And I bet it ruins the gun's value.

Second question. The photo on P151 shows what to my eye is a very standard, dare I saw modern?, checkered end on the ejector rod. The picture on P149 of the 1st Model shows a broad end on the ejector rod like the one pictured above - are the pictures deceiving and they're all the same? I just can't tell.

Third question - only my .38-55 and this .32-20 have a "thing" directly under the cylinder release. None of my post 1961 HEs have this "thing". What is it?

This gun is supposedly from 1934 but I shall ask about a shipping date. I might letter it if folks here think it's worthwhile.

Gracias.

 

[Muley Gil]

You have a Wonder Sight. You remove the screw & sight, then replace the "bug" screw. Doesn't hurt it at all.

What you see under the cylinder release is the hammer stud. On the pre war revolvers it is threaded into the frame. On the post war revolvers it is pressed into the frame and polished flush.

The mushroom head ejector rod is correct for your revolver. It was probably built before 1927.

Oh, I believe you mean .38/44, not .38-55. .38-55 is a rifle cartridge.

 

[27 Man]

Don’t lose that big screw! They are very hard to find. I have a Wonder Sight on an old .32-20. Those old timers must have had excellent eye sight. The sights on those old guns are tiny.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

EXCELLENT!!! Thank you.

Oh, I believe you mean .38/44, not .38-55. .38-55 is a rifle cartridge.

YA THINK??!!??!! Nice catch!!! Blame the cowboy action shooter in me. I used to have a Winchester Model 94 Legendary Frontiersman in .38-55. I guess my typing fingers never forgot it.

One more thing:

You have a Wonder Sight. You remove the screw & sight, then replace the "bug" screw. Doesn't hurt it at all.

It didn't come with the "bug screw". But for now I'll leave it alone.

 

[Muley Gil]

EXCELLENT!!! Thank you.



YA THINK??!!??!! Nice catch!!! Blame the cowboy action shooter in me. I used to have a Winchester Model 94 Legendary Frontiersman in .38-55. I guess my typing fingers never forgot it.

One more thing:



It didn't come with the "bug screw". But for now I'll leave it alone.

If you need a bug screw, I've got an extra one.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Thanks, Muley. Right now I'll just leave it be, I reckon. If I decide to shoot it I might need that adjustable sight, but it's not much bigger than the fixed sights, that I can tell you!

 

[JP@AK]

What you see under the cylinder release is the hammer stud. On the pre war revolvers it is threaded into the frame. On the post war revolvers it is pressed into the frame and polished flush.

Yes. The change order was dated January 18, 1946.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

So, if anyone happens to speak to the authors of the SCSW you might tell them that the comment on page 151 about certain markings being reported is 100% correct. This gun has these markings in case the pictures are not clear:

The barrel is marked ".32-20 CTG" on the right and "SMITH & WESSON" on the left, and "MADE IN USA" on the frame on the right side beneath and forward of the cylinder.

Side note - the ampersand on the barrel is a "lazy ampersand". Which is to be expected I reckon.

 

[JP@AK]

The barrel is marked ".32-20 CTG" on the right

This started in the spring of 1922. From c. 1913-14 until 1922, it read 32 W.C.F. CTG. From 1899 until c. 1913-14, it said 32 Winchester CTG. All the same cartridge.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

This started in the spring of 1922. From c. 1913-14 until 1922, it read 32 W.C.F. CTG. From 1899 until c. 1913-14, it said 32 Winchester CTG. All the same cartridge.

The main reason I mentioned the barrel markings is because in the SCSW the barrel markings on my gun in question are noted as "having been reported" or words to that effect so I presumed it was significant.

 

[.357magger]

Thanks, Muley. Right now I'll just leave it be, I reckon. If I decide to shoot it I might need that adjustable sight, but it's not much bigger than the fixed sights, that I can tell you!

"If" you decide to shoot it?

C'mon Brother, take her out to dance.

You'll be glad you did.



6" 1905s are awesome to shoot, Wondersight or no.

Below is my 1920s 1905/4th in 38 Special. It's a delightfully accurate revolver. I'm betting your 32-20 will be too.

 

[glowe]

You have a "poor man's" target revolver, but I bet it shoots as well as those expensive "Target" revolvers. Of course that option on a 1923 S&W would have set you back an extra $4.50!! Retail for a 32 WCF Target was $35.50.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

"If" you decide to shoot it?

C'mon Brother, take her out to dance.

You'll be glad you did.

I know.

But IF I DECIDE TO SHOOT IT means I have to go chasing .32-20 handgun ammunition. Which might be easier than it sounds, I suppose........

 

[oddshooter]

I love the 32-20, but if you can find ammo; you're a better man than me.
It's the reason I handload.

Good luck,
Prescut

 

[Inusuit]

But IF I DECIDE TO SHOOT IT means I have to go chasing .32-20 handgun ammunition. Which might be easier than it sounds, I suppose........

I believe that all currently manufactured .32-20 ammunition is loaded to pressures safe in handguns.

At one time, makers designated some .32-20 as rifle only. Might make sense to check if you find older stuff for sale. I think finding new ammo might be harder than it sounds.

 

[Muley Gil]

Here is a picture of a high speed .32-20 cartridge, courtesy of alk3844. Note the jacketed hollow point bullet. IIRC, the head stamp is .32-20 HV (high velocity). This round hasn't been produced since the 1960s and was restricted to STRONG .32-20 rifles, such as the Winchester 1982 and Marlin 1894, NOT the older 1873 toggle actions.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

So, I cannot easily find .32-20 "Cowboy Action" ammunition available but I did find a listing that inspires a question or two.

I usually presume that cowboy ammunition is somewhat light loaded for the rules of that game. Anyone know for sure?

32-20 WCF Ammo | Shop Winchester Center Fire Ammunition | Shop Now

(c) Midway USA

If you look at those you will see two boxes of 115 grain, one of 100 grain, and one marked 100 grain "Express rifle".

Comments solicited on what will and won't work in my old revolver.

 

[JP@AK]

Any and all of those will be fine in your S&W revolver, assuming, of course, that it has no lockup issues, etc.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

It has a nice lockup, actually. Not bank vault tight but just as tight as anything else I own except my M10 that's bank vault tight.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I've got her sister...

I have a nearly identical .32-20 1905 4th Change, and in almost the same condition. In your posts I didn't see that you mentioned your s/n, mine is 118705...early to mid-1920s. Apparently these "budget priced" firearms were often modified- yours has a Wonder Sight, and mine had a copper bead inset into the front sight. I have been able to find Cowboy Action .32-20 because it's not all that popular a cartridge for most shooters. CA ammo (with round nose flat point lead bullets) is loaded a little lighter, so it's definitely OK and fun to shoot in a vintage revolver. Shoot yours and enjoy!